Can Dagarslani: A Photographer Who Shows Primal Courage in Architectural Unison

Artistic Background

Can Dağarslani is a young Turkish photographer based in Istanbul. He graduated in 2006 with a Bachelors in Fine Art from Mimar Sinan University in Istanbul but started out his career as an architect.

Can Dagarslani - Identities Part II, 2014

Can Dagarslani Converts Architectural Form with Creativity

Dağarslani discovered his love for photography while working as an architect, he became intrigued by the way an architectural structure could be portrayed in an image using natural light. His expertise in this field led to the introduction of his work that we now see which perfectly fuses modern architecture and retro-styled photography, with the primary focus being on distinctive hues, sophisticated asymmetrical illusions, and models who show only the slightest hint of expression. The end results are quirky, playful images that tickle various aspects of our view of the world.

Can Dagarslani - Sophie Bogdan, Milano Italy, 2016

The Photographer Challenges Our Perception of Self

Dağarslani’s perception of people’s discernment and view, as he perceives it to be, is translated through his various series. Particularly, “Identity“, where he skillfully balances the fine line between being visually confrontational yet playfully intriguing. There is a certain amount of humor added to his creations that makes one introspective of how we merge with our surrounding concrete jungles. He challenges his audience to find their identity within the confines of architectural structure, he pushes the truth of what we identify ourselves with and in turn how we are identified within our confines. While some imagery presents a challenge, other images by Can offer a peaceful state of knowing who we are, a place of surrender and quiet confidence.

Can Dağarslani aspires to continue to capture our attention by showcasing our fragile social boundaries, and how humans are at times forced into an identity through urbanization. One fact remains, as long as Dağarslani perseveres to document our generations abnormal normality, he will certainly continue to captivate and intrigue our most primal instincts.